20 of the best winter pop-ups around the UK

Now that the cold weather is here, it's time to embrace all things cosy. Luckily, the trend for transforming pop-up spots into winter wonderlands has continued this year, from riverside igloos to ski lodge-inspired rooftop bars. With recommendations from event experts DesignMyNight, here are some of the best places to sip on mulled wine surrounded by twinkly lights, snug blankets and a scattering of fake snow...

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The Montague Hotel

Ski Lodge at The Montague Hotel, London

Decked out with pine trees, ski racks, piste maps, reindeer and snowmen, the only thing missing at this Christmassy pop-up in Bloomsbury is falling snow. Oh, wait - they have that too. With mulled wine, candy cane-flavoured vodka and deep-fried camembert, a ski pass to this magical concept bar is a no-brainer. For £38, this gets you access to the lodge for 90 minutes, plus an Alpine platter and three drinks. BOOK NOW

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John Lewis

Skyline Skating, John Lewis Rooftop, London

John Lewis & Partners has teamed up with with Sipsmith Gin to create a winder hideaway on the roof of its Oxford Street store. For the first time ever, shoppers will be able to skate above the famous London street and yes, the gin will be flowing. Sipsmith will be serving Hot Gin & Ginger, Mulled Sloe Gin and Hot G&Ts while pie brand MYPIE will be taking care of the food. Skating sessions are £8 and there are two cosy Gin Hideaways that can be reserved online. BOOK HERE

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The Rosewood

The Glenlivet Glade at Rosewood, London

This Holborn hotel has teamed up with Scotch whisky brand The Glenlivet to create a woodland-inspired winter terrace, which will stay open until 2 March. Expect fur blankets, twinkling fairy lights and warming whisky cocktails. Look out for the smoky 'Flying Scotsman' made with 18-year-old Glenlivet, Vermouth, Campari and an apple and cinnamon syrup. FIND OUT MORE

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Pop-up Igloos

Pop-Up Igloos, Manchester

Manchester bar, The Refinery, is bringing back its popular igloos on 8 November this year. For winter 2018 and they’ve teamed up with Snow Queen vodka to create a bespoke menu. Positioned in the heart of the city, these cute snow globes can fit up to 10 people at a time, and with free-reign over the playlist, festive canapés, heating and blankets to keep you toasty, it’s a great way to shake things up this winter. ENQUIRE NOW

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Backyard Cinema

The Christmas Labyrinth, London

From 15 November, Backyard Cinema will be setting up its Christmas Labyrinth in the heart of Clapham Common's Winterville Festival. Settle in with bean bags, blankets and mince pies to watch the festive classics, including Home Alone, Love Actually and Disney's A Christmas Carol. Tickets are from £18.98 but you'll need to be quick as they're already selling out. BOOK NOW

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Design My Night

Jimmy’s Winter Lodge, London

Jimmy’s Winter Lodge and igloos are back beside the Thames again this year and the cosy cabin has pulled out all the stops. This time, the snow globes are made from glass and the lodge is offering up a three-course set menu. For £45 per person, you’ll be presented with seasonal starters, followed by a traditional alpine fondue served with charcuterie, new potatoes and sourdough, and a chocolate tart to finish. The cabin is reservations-only and if you want to enjoy one of the pop-up's famous Private Snow Globes, you'll need a group of 6-10 people (plus a minimum spend of £600). BOOK IGLOOS HERE

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JEFF MOORE

The Winter Forest, Broadgate Circle, London

The restaurants and bars of Broadgate Circle are getting a makeover in the lead-up to Christmas, thanks to the arrival of Mrs Fogg's Winter Terrace. As well as festive menus, look out for workshops including wreath and candle-making at the weekends, plus carol singing every Wednesday. Broadgate is also working withCentrepoint, the charity that provides housing and support foryoung people. Look out for collections and fund-raising cocktails. FIND OUT MORE

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The Lodge

The Lodge, Liverpool

The Lodge is a picture-perfect pop-up in Liverpool that’s housed in The Club House, a Hamptons-inspired restaurant. The walls are adorned with ski memorabilia, there’s squishy leather couches to sink into and they have a great film line-up for winter. Spiced cider and mulled wine will warm you right up.

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Design My Night

Skylight, London

London's rooftop ice rink is back this November at Skylight Tobacco Dock in east London. The former carpark has been transformed into a magical wintry spot, with plenty of twinkling lights and some great views of the city's skyline. Cheese and chocolate fondue are on the menu, along with the perfect post-skate drink - mulled wine. Tickets for the 45-minute skate sessions available for £12 per person on the day. There are also four huts and four igloos that can be hired for up to three hours. BOOK NOW

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NurPhotoGetty Images

Christmas at Kew, London

This annual winter event "will be bigger than ever before", when it opens on 22 November, with over a million twinkling pea-lights and thousands of laser beams lighting up the famous botanical gardens. Explore the festive trails after dark then sip on spiced cider, mulled wine or hot chocolate under the stars. For the first time, visitors can also tuck into a traditional Christmas dinner in the Kew restaurant. The dream night out. BOOK TICKETS

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Design My Night

Dalloway Terrace, London

This al fresco spot in London's Bloomsbury gets a festive makeover every year. Expect snow-frosted trees, twinkling fairy lights, and loads of blankets and throws to keep you toasty while tucking into the sharing plates and cocktails from the festive menu. BOOK NOW

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Queen of Hoxton

Queen of Hoxton Rooftop, London

This winter, the Queen of Hoxton has created a rooftop inspired by 1900s surrealist Paris. Expect glitz and glamour with velvet drapes, cabaret tables and warming fire pits, along with foodie delights and cocktails. Try the ‘The Moulin Ooze’ toasted sandwich and the 'Hot Buttered Tarte Tatin Rum'. The rooftop is open from 4pm - 10pm Monday to Sunday and best of all it's free entry.

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Après Ski Bar at Abbey Hotel, Bath

This cosy pop-up bar has returned to Bath for a sixth year, bringing a whole lot of festive spirit to the city centre. The hearty food menu can be enjoyed inside the snow-capped chalet or under blankets out on the terrace. The ski lodge is particularly loved for its Fondue Lunch Parties, which include a pot of melted cheese along with all the extras and a glass of mulled wine or cider.

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Design My Night

Winterland, London

Opening in Fulham on 8 November, this festive playground is packed with wintry activities. They have riverside igloos, an enchanted forest with winter lodges, a neon-lit curling lane, a fire pit and Prosecco pong. As if that wasn’t enough reason to visit, it’s there's free mulled wine on entry and tickets are from £5. BOOK NOW

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Thomas Alexander

Chalet at The Madison, London

Madison might be known for its dazzling views of St. Paul's but there's another reason to venture to the award-winning rooftop this winter. They’re giving their alfresco space a makeover, turning it into a chalet hideaway in the sky. From 7 November, it will feature a lodge-style terrace, fur and tartan blankets and piping hot cocktails. See the sample Christmas menus here.

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Miracle on Grey Street

Miracle on Grey Street, Newcastle

Details might be few and far in between, but what we do know is this Miracle on Grey Street Pop-Up Bar will launch on 15 November and it’s said to be packed with festive delights, mimicking a ‘glittering grotto’. Follow the event on Facebook for updates.

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Brighton Music Hall

Igloo, Brighton

If partying in an igloo on a beach sounds like your perfect night out, Brighton Music Hall has got your festive season covered. There are 10 heated igloos available to enjoy, complete with festoon lights, candelabras and blankets. The cosy domes seat up to 16 people and they are free to hire, although a minimum spend of £150 on food and drinks is required. BOOK HERE

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Magic Lantern Festival

Magic Lantern Festival, Birmingham

The award-winning-festival is lighting up Birmingham Botanical Gardens from 23 November to 1 January. Hundreds of illuminated installations, grottos, rides and Christmas Markets will be open, with street food and drinks stalls on offer throughout the festival routes. BUY TICKETS

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Roof East

Sliders, Roof East, London

London’s rooftop curling experience returns to Roof East in Stratford this November - complete with a new tropical theme. Each lane can take up to 8 people, so it's best to go in a group. Make the most of the lane-side hosts or head to the bar for cocktails. Lanes are priced for 1-4 (from £40) or 5-8 people (from £70). BOOK HERE

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Queens

Queens Skate Dine Bowl, London

You can go ice skating, karting and curling at this ice rink/ bowling alley in West London this year. And, with a rink-side restaurant serving up grub from MeatLiquor, you won't go hungry either.

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